District Two Newsletter - September 1, 2011

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Release date:
September 1, 2011


In This Issue

  • Greetings!
  • Leadership Academy
  • Healthy Parks, Healthy People
  • Hours Changed
  • Youth Corner
  • Boards and Commissions
  • Veterans Job Fair
  • Poll Worker's Needed


County Office
1221 Oak Street, Suite 536
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 272-6692
 
District Office
24301 Southland Drive, Suite 101
Hayward, CA 94545
Phone: (510) 259-1097

Using public transit. Click here for the 511.org Trip Planner.

For more information, visit the District Two website at acgov.org/board/district2/.


Coffee Hours 
 
Suju's Cafe
3602 Thornton Ave, Fremont
1st Friday of the month
9 to 10:30 a.m.

Paddy's
3900 Smith Road, Union City
2nd Friday of the month
9 to 10:30 a.m.

Starbucks
7324 Thornton Ave, Newark
3rd Friday of the month
9 to 10:30 a.m.

Eon Cafe
24970 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward
4th Friday of the month
9 to 10:30 a.m.

Greetings!

bosltrhd
Dear Friends,
 
Happy Labor Day!  I hope you all enjoyed your summer.  Now that we’re at the end of the August Recess, the Board of Supervisors is preparing for a busy fall session to address, among other things, state public protection realignment and health resource disparities in the county.  While the Board was on recess, my office continued to respond to your calls and emails and worked on many items that are important to Alameda County and District Two. 
 
County Supervisors sit on many regional boards.  As your representative on the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), I fought along with my county colleagues who sit on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) boards to require these agencies to conduct an open and fair process in determining whether to move out of Oakland to San Francisco.  As a result of our efforts, the MTC reversed its prior decision to leave Oakland and announced it would review its process
 
If you are interested in learning more about the county’s many roles and responsibilities in local government, I invite you to sign up to participate in the Alameda County Leadership Academy.  Through the academy, county residents have an opportunity to meet department staff and learn about county functions. More information on the Leadership Academy and updates on the district can be found below.
 
We’re looking forward to a productive fall session.  Keep in touch with us.
 
With respect,
Nadia Lockyer
 

Leadership Academy

county seal
Beginning in October, Alameda County will begin its 2011 Leadership Academy.  This year’s academy marks the eleventh year that the county has provided this educational opportunity to local residents and business owners.  Participants gain insight into the range of services offered by the county, including our budget process, mission and strategic vision. 
 
The academy also provides an opportunity for participants to network with other community members. Due to its popularity, this year’s 55 spaces are nearly filled. However, note that applicants not accepted for this year's academy due to space limitations are given priority notification for the next academy. 
 
If you are interested in applying for the academy, please contact District Two staff at district2@acgov.org or (510) 272-6692. 
 

healthy parks healthy people
 
Healthy Parks, Healthy People is an international initiative to promote public awareness about the clear linkage between community health and parks. Parts of District Two have some of the highest obesity rates in the county, as many of our children are growing up in urban developed cities and spending more time connected to technology than outdoors.  Fortunately, the East Bay Regional Parks District has taken a leading role in advancing this initiative in Alameda County.
 
As the nation’s largest urban regional park network, the East Bay Regional Park District is encouraging people to spend more time in our beautiful parks and to make sure to bring along all of the children you know.  It's a health issue! Please join the District Two office in enjoying our wonderful regional parks and tackling the many health issues that arise from inactive lifestyles. 
 
For more information on Healthy Parks, Healthy People click here.
 

Hours Changed

Due to state budget cuts, the Superior Court of Alameda County has changed its hours of operation for the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.  Beginning Monday, October 3, 2011, the hours of operation for the Clerk-Recorder’s Office will be 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on all days except judicial holidays, Saturdays and Sundays.
court house
 
If you have business with the Clerk’s Office, please plan accordingly.  The Clerk handles traffic citations, civil and legal filings and other functions.  More information about Alameda County Superior Courts can be found here.


Youth Corner

ginny and tia
The District Two office was fortunate to host 3 amazing interns this summer.  Tia Howard, Kurt Ogden and Daniel Torres all attend high school in Hayward.  Each of the interns had an opportunity to work with staff on various projects and to learn what services the county provides. 
Pictured beginning at the left: Ginny DeMartini, District Representative, and Tia Howard, District Two intern

They also participated in a court day tour.  They particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Public Defender Diane Bellas, Judge Panetta, Judge Rhynes and to observe a court trial.
  
Tia had an interest in public speaking and honed her presentation skills by reviewing and preparing a PowerPoint presentation on the Alameda County Grand Jury report on the Alameda County Probation Department.  She presented her findings to District Two staff.
 
daniel and kurt
Pictured from left: Kurt and Daniel at a tour of Motivation and Learning Through Aviation

Daniel and Kurt came to our office from Soulciety, a non-profit organization that empowers youth through creativity, leadership, community service, video/film production and performing arts. Daniel and Kurt both grew and matured over the few short weeks they were in our office, gaining valuable experience in a professional environment. In their words:
 
“Soulciety and the Hayward Adult School are two great programs helping youth. They are training us to be more responsible and teaching us how to work with others. It is a great experience for us so we know what it is really like to be in the working field and be ready for real life out on our own.” – Daniel Torres
 
“The key is to keep the kids mind off drugs and going down the wrong path. Keep them busy and never give up on them. The summer programs are really helpful. I know from personal experience and I would recommend every youth to attend them. It makes you responsible and gets you ready for your adult life. It always pays off at the end.” – Kurt Ogden
 
Congratulations Daniel, Kurt and Tia on completing your placements.  Thank you for all your help this summer.  Remember to dream big, speak up and give back!


Boards and Commissions

Interested in serving Alameda County and your community?
 

Since 1853, the Board of Supervisors has encouraged citizen involvement and expertise to assist the Board in serving the community.  Citizens who serve on commissions help the Board deal with the many and varied duties and responsibilities of local county government.  The Board relies on these groups to advise them on a wide range of issues affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community needs.
county flag
 
District Two currently has vacancies on the following Commissions:
  
Airport Land Use Commission
The Commission makes recommendations concerning the impacts of future land use at and around airports. Meetings take place the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.
 
Alameda County Art Commission
The Commission consists of 15 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.  Its purpose is to encourage the performing arts, artists, architects, landscape architect designers, art patrons, and institutions of art, so that our county may be developed and enriched by the performing arts and works of art.  Terms are for four years, and regular meetings are held once a month, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. 
 
Veterans Affairs Commission
This Commission advises and assists the Board of Supervisors on matters relating to veterans and their families, pertaining to their basic needs for veteran benefits, housing, food, shelter and employment.  Meetings are on the third Monday of the month in San Leandro from 10 a.m. to noon.
 
To Apply
To apply to serve as a District Two appointee, please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position.  Please include a copy of your resume.  Email the information to district2@acgov.org, attention Michelle/Ruben. 
 

Veterans Job Fair

On September 12, 2011, Milicruit will host a nationwide virtual career fair for veterans and military spouses. This event is being held in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Joining Forces initiative.  Milicruit is a fully interactive virtual recruitment environment that brings the career fair to the employer and veteran.
 
Virtual Career Fair
Monday, September 12, 2011
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit www.veteranscareerfair.com to register for the fair.
 
Milicruit has more than 90 Fortune 500 employers and government agencies participating and hopes to register as many veterans as possible.  During its 5-hour event on June 23, Milicruit registered more than 21,000 veterans.
 
Visit www.veteranscareerfair.com for more information and to register for the fair on September 12.
 

Poll Workers Needed

poll worker
The County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is preparing for local elections this November.  Elections will be held in a few communities in the county. In District Two, the residents of Newark will vote on a local school bond measure and will choose city council representatives and a new mayor.  
 
The ROV is in need of poll workers to help conduct and safeguard the election.  Poll workers will be trained and will receive a stipend for their time.  For more information on helping in this fall’s election process, click here.